Cypress, TX — like much of southeast Texas — isn’t built for extended freezing weather. But when an ice storm or severe winter weather event is forecasted, taking proactive steps can keep you, your family, and your home safe.
📡 1. Stay Informed Early
- Monitor the National Weather Service alerts for freeze warnings, winter storm warnings, and ice storm watches.
- Sign up for local alerts from Harris County or weather apps so you’re notified immediately of updates.
🛠️ 2. Prepare Your Home
Ice storms often knock out power and can cause bursts in plumbing due to freezing temperatures.
Insulate and Protect
- Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape to prevent freezing.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks so warmer indoor air circulates around plumbing.
- Cover outdoor faucets or turn them off completely before temperatures drop.
Check Your Heating System
- Test your furnace or heating system ahead of time and replace filters.
- Have alternative heating like a wood stove or safe space heater ready — but never use outdoor fuel heaters inside(carbon monoxide risk).
🧯 3. Build Your Winter Emergency Kit
Power outages are common during ice storms — roads can ice over, and utility crews may take longer to restore services.
Kit Essentials
Make sure you have these before the storm hits:
- Flashlights and extra batteries.
- NOAA weather radio or battery-powered radio.
- Non-perishable food items that don’t require cooking.
- Water — at least 1 gallon per person, per day.
- Blankets, warm clothes, and sleeping bags.
- First-aid supplies and necessary medications.
Having 3–5 days’ worth of supplies is ideal because ice can make travel dangerous.
🚘 4. Winterize Your Vehicle
If you must travel:
- Ensure your car battery, wipers, tires and fluids are ready for cold weather.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full or more — this helps avoid icing in fuel lines.
- Pack a car emergency kit: blankets, snacks, water, ice scraper, sand or cat litter for traction, flashlight, booster cables, and first-aid items.
Whenever possible, avoid driving during freezing rain or icy conditions — travel conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
👨👩👧 5. Protect Your Family & Pets
- Bring outdoor pets inside and ensure all animals have shelter and unfrozen water.
- Have warm bedding and extra clothing ready.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors who may need help preparing.
🐕 6. Prepare Your Yard and Property
- Put rock salt or sand on driveways and walkways before ice forms — it improves traction and can prevent better.
- Trim weak tree limbs that could break under ice and damage property.
🧠 7. Plan for Utilities and Disruptions
- Charge all devices and consider backup battery packs.
- Know how to shut off your water at the main valve in case a pipe bursts.
- Keep cash on hand — in extended outages, ATMs may not work.
🎯 8. Make a Family Communication Plan
Before winter weather arrives:
- Decide on a family meeting point and how you’ll contact each other if phones or power go out.
- Share emergency numbers and check in with relatives and friends preemptively.
🧾 Final Tip
Preparing before the ice storm hits — not after — can drastically reduce stress, danger, and damage. In Texas, infrastructure and readiness can be stressed by rare winter extremes, so proactive planning is critical.
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